Why September?

One of the most commonly asked questions we heard last year was “It’s called Oktoberfest, why are you holding it in September?” Here’s a potted history of Oktoberfest to explain…

The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich in 1810 in honor of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities began on October 12 and ended on October 17. In the following years, the celebrations were repeated annually and, later, the festival was extended and moved to run from September into the first weekend of October.

By bringing the festivities forward, it allowed for better weather conditions. Because the September nights were warmer, the visitors were able to enjoy the gardens outside the tents and the stroll over “die Wiesen” or the fields much longer without feeling chilly.

We can’t help but agree with the good people of Munich that making the most of what will hopefully be some lovely September weather is a wise move!